DRAFT THREAD part II: Come Together.... Right Now....

[bay2hk]

Hell yea we pick Jonas. Jonas and not Biyombo is the type of player you would swing for the fences with a lottery pick. Jonas has 10x potential than Biyombo

[Twinkie defense]

Larry Riley, pre-draft talk: On Klay Thompson, Biyombo, and “very likely” not trading Monta Ellis

[Riley] said it’s “very unlikely” that Monta Ellis would be traded on or before draft night, and said two reports about specific trade talk were “fabrications.”

You can take that however you want to take it, but didn’t sound like an absolute rule out to me, and I don’t believe Riley’s the one who can rule it out, anyway.

Riley also noted that he, owner Joe Lacob and new coach Mark Jackson were all big fans of Ellis.

Interesting to note the names of front-office people that Riley did not list as Ellis’ top fans.

On picking at #11: "the likelihood of getting somebody that changes a team isn’t very good."

you’re not going to be seeing Bismack Biyombo?

-RILEY: No… Travis (Schlenk) and Kirk (Lacob) went to Europe, went early and spent time with him. Actually went through Spain, saw him there, saw him again when they got to Italy. So the work has been done as far as what we can do personality-wise and then we saw him play in Portland.

Says nice things about Biyombo (esp. as pick and roll and weak side defender) but also that he can't guard centers. (So he is a PF).

He’s just never played at this level. Many of them haven’t. But he hasn’t played at a level that approaches this. Some people say that’s really a problem and it really is. It’s a calculated risk on anybody we take at 11.

-Q: Do you tend to look more for defense or offense?

-RILEY: I don’t tend to look more for defense, it’s just if the player has a bigger defensive side and has some offense, then you might go that way.

There was a concept here that everybody looked at us as a team that drafted for offense only. It’s still a tremendously important part of the team.

But I think we’re trying to shore up our defense without doubt. We’ll look at the complete package. It’s not that I’m going to sit here and say I’m going to have to draft a defender. If we do draft a defender, then we’re going to have to work, probably the defenders in this draft have got to improve their offensive skills.

I’ll go to (Chris) Singleton. He’s thought of as a defender. He’s going to have to upgrade his offensive game a little bit. But we like Singleton. He’s a guy who has length and that can probably defend 3s and 4s. Not a lockdown defender at the 3, but your defense would get better around him and I wouldn’t hesitate to draft a player like that.

-Q: How do you see Klay Thompson defensively? Is that a problem?

-RILEY: Klay is like many rookies. He would come into the league and there would be a learning curve on the defensive side of the floor… I think that he’s average in quickness. So I think his intelligence is going to help him, because he sees the team well.

I think he’s typical of most rookies that come into the game—he’ll bring that shooting that we talk about, those offensive skills, but there’s a learning curve for all rookies and he fits into that mold.

-Q: Did Thompson separate himself from Alec Burks in the workouts?

-RILEY: With all honesty, I thought he was separated before the workouts started.

-Q: You’ve said you’re not shopping Monta Ellis. Have you fielded calls on him? Are teams asking, ‘What will it take to get Monta Ellis?’

-RILEY: No, nobody’s saying, ‘What will it take to get Monta Ellis?’ We’re in a situation where the calls are no more than they normally are right around the trade deadline…

How many 2-guards are better than Monta Ellis? It’s a darn short list. Maybe two or you can talk to some people who’ll say three or four. I would say he’s in the top five 2-guards in this league.

-Q: If you keep Ellis and Curry, can you afford to draft another player who is suspect on defense?

-RILEY: That’s up to Bob Myers. (Silence, and then laughs.)

-Q: So if you get help at guard, and keep Ellis and Curry… what would you need? Somebody bigger at guard?

-RILEY: I think longer and somebody you could teach to play defense that has those capabilities; and in general a guy that can play on the offensive end can learn to play defense if both his heart and his mind are into it.

-Q: Can you talk about Valanciunas and Vesely? Worry about the buy-out situation?

-RILEY: I like those two guys an awful lot. There are questions, not necessarily around Vesely, but there are questions around Jonas. I’ve looked pretty deep at it. I’ll tell you I like the guy. He’s a good player

-Q: Do you also get trade phone calls about Stephen Curry?

-RILEY: I always shut ‘em off pretty quick, but we get a bunch on Steph.

-Q: More than on Monta?

-RILEY: Oh… (points way up). Yep.

Riley also talks about a lot of the other prospects, says they would like to get another second round pick, and there are no first rounders for sale this summer.

FWIW...

[KevinMcreynolds]

-Q: Did Thompson separate himself from Alec Burks in the workouts?

-RILEY: With all honesty, I thought he was separated before the workouts started.

Good answer. I want no part of Burks. A shooting guard that can't shoot FTL.

[hamncheese]

Another question is...

if Valuncilasjklsjsisazas buyout wont allow him to be in the NBA until the 12-13 season and he drops to us because of that...do we pick him?

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/21 ... ext_Season

Warriors should take Valanciunas if he should slip because of the buyout. A one-year delay from a possibly delayed season doesn't seem like a good enough reason to let him slip though. I could see Pistons, Bobcats, or Bucks being interested in him.

[turk3d]

Nice post Twinkie. Say, is it just me, or does anyone else see a lot of Kevin Martin in Klay Thompson?

[GSForever]

Ill take credit for that one turk! Thanks for agreeing with my assessment of Martin and Klay

[turk3d]

Ill take credit for that one turk! Thanks for agreeing with my assessment of Martin and Klay

You said that? Didn't notice (but I don't spend a lot of time in the draft except when it starts getting close). I just watched some of a highlight reel of his yesterday and from what I saw I was amazed at how his game was so strikingly similar to KMarts in the little I saw. I can see why he's pretty hot on most draft boards although I wouldn't want him here.

[FNQ]

We're actually in a great place to draft that Jonas kid... most of the GMs in the lottery are fighting for their jobs and cant wait a year for said player. But Riley's replacement is already hired and we probably arent looking at this draft for much help... I'd def take the euro @ 11 if the consensus was that he's a top 5 pick.

Some teams wanted him over Kanter..

[marthafokker]

I just played the ESPN Mock Draft. I was 5 for 5 with Jonas.

I hope we get him. And from Riley's comment that no one is good this year, it seems Jonas is the choice here.

[old rem]

I doubt Jonas V drops to 11. If there's red flags that he can be another Vasquez and linger in Europe,while turning out to not have the big upside...then...GSW should take heed. GSW is not real good at "get lucky" when it comes to bigs.

Fredette can be another Curry....big value in the future,but I expect several teams see that. Biyombo is a role guy with a narrow niche but I see where he might do a lot with that. If I knew GSW had skills at development, I'd be very gung ho. He also is apt to go a few picks before 11.

If GSW stays at 11, Klay Thompson, Singleton, Marcus Morris probably are in the mix. I see a number of later picks who are potentially as useful to GSW as the guys tagged for 11,but what I don't quite see is a good direct Trade_Down,unless it expands to 3-4 teams.

Riley seemed pretty blunt that he's got no plans to swap Ellis or Curry. Lee is Riley's personal Big Deal, so I doubt he's traded soon, and his $ hit is such he will look overpaid to a lot of teams...dropping his trade value rather low unless GSW is eating salary in the deal.

[Left*My*Heart]

What a coup if Jonas is there at 11!

[floppymoose]

It would be great to get Jonas. If we can't, I'm totally on board with Bismack. This seems like a good draft to roll with a big man prospect. Both of those guys seem much more promising than POB or Thabeet.

[Mylie10]

It's odd that we didn't have Burks or Tristan Thompson work out for us. Both are squarely in our range, and both arguably are BPA and/or fit a need. Could it be that we are targeting one of them? Hmm...

Definitely a good way to look at it if they are interested. There should be plenty of tape on those guys and Shlenk was at the draft combine.

If we are keeping coach Robert Werdann, he was also at the combine working with the big men.

[bay2hk]

It would be so awesome if we got Jonas since we don't have a 2012 first rounder. It's possible if the draft looks like this.

1) Irving
2) Williams
3) Knight
4) Kanter
5) Walker
6) Vesley
7) Leonard
8) T. Thompson
9) M. Morris
10) K. Thompson

I think the Bucks will pick Thompson ahead of Burks if they go for a SG. You gotta thank West and Riley for that one.

[bay2hk]

But the more likely scenario is if Jonas dropped then Detroit would trade their 8th pick for Houston's 14th and 23rd pick and Detroit would draft T. Thompson there.

[Mylie10]

"further along" does not mean they're a homerun...let alone a double. Singleton cant hit the broad side of a barn with his jumper yet will be taking them. He can defend though. Kawhi Leonard is JUST developing a jumper...but he can defend. They all sound similar to me...they have their question marks but who's ceiling is higher? I dont think we should draft expecting the #11 pick to step in Day 1 and give us a turnaround. If a #11 pick can contribute at spots year #1 and set up to be special down the road...now that's a draft pick.

Just because Biyombo is a raw offensive project, does not mean that he cant contribute defensively in the interim while he develops. He's no giant stiff...he just has the long arms of one.

I'm not against Biyombo, but to bolster your statement about him, you don't need to make stuff up about the other guys...

Singleton isn't a polished shooter yet, but "Can't hit the broad side of a barn" is way overboard. He is working hard on his shot, especially the NBA 3. He hit around 36% from the college 3 (I think because I didn't look just now).

I like all 3 defensive guys with each one of them being a little different.

I like Kawhi the best out of those 3 because of his rebounding ability, and also a more versatile offensive game.

Singleton is as tall or taller than Biymobo and can guard 3 positions. when he fully developes that 3 point shot, you're going to have an elite defender who can spread the floor. Supreme athlete
as well.

Biyombo is also a supreme athlete, and is strong like bull. He doesn't have to put weight on to compete. If he dedicates himself to working on some offense, then he'll improve there. I hear his motor never turns off, so that doesn't fit into some of the problems we've had with other big men.

[Mylie10]

We're actually in a great place to draft that Jonas kid... most of the GMs in the lottery are fighting for their jobs and cant wait a year for said player. But Riley's replacement is already hired and we probably arent looking at this draft for much help... I'd def take the euro @ 11 if the consensus was that he's a top 5 pick.

Some teams wanted him over Kanter..

That's how I see it too......We're looking elsewhere, but if he drops to us, then plan B goes into affect. I'd say we take him and start making other plans for this year.

[GSForever]

I don't see no way that Jonas falls below the 6th pick. Bismack I we him having a hard time adjusting to the NBA. 6'9 pf usually don't have a big impact on the game. There are plenty of players like him. Who have no offensive games. He is too overated

[Mylie10]

Sounds like we're really in the mix for an extra 2nd rounder.....that makes me smile.

The Lakers have 4 second round picks. Maybe we can grab one.

[Mylie10]

This 2nd round is loaded:

PG; Selby (was ranked number one coming out of high school, combo guard). Julyan Stone(6'7" distributor/defender, fits). Nolan Smith (6'3" senior, smart and perfect back-up). Brad Wannamaker (long and great assist guy/good defender). Shumpert (6'5" combo guard...could be a steal).

My personal favorite - Demetri McCamey - 6'3" 205....solid built, good assist man, leader, tough and well rounded offensive game.

SG; Shelvin Mack (undersized at 6'2, but strong and can score from anywhere, heart of a lion). Deandre Liggins (severely under-rated. Stephen Jackson without the baggage. Great defender and can spread the floor, tough as ess). David Lighty (6'6" great range and good defender, can distribute a little too, solid player)

I like these 3 guys as much as any of the top rated SG's.

SF; Jimmy Butler (6'6" Marqutte guy. Good defender and decent midrange game. He's been a strong part of some good teams. Under-rated).

PF; JuJuan Johnson (big, but skinny with a great motor. smart player, very active). Rick Jackson (built like a brick house, but limited athletically, good rebounder). Bryan Ammaning (6'11" Long athletic, good runner, good shot blocker, high ceiling, under-rated)

C; Jon Leuer (6'11" well rounded game but not very strong). Keith Benson (6'11" Very thin, but is a true center. needs to add weight to be able to bang). Greg Smith (gigantic hands and very strong, has question marks, but could be a big surprise). Jeremy Tyler (huge man with really good athleticism, big question marks about his maturity, probably goes late first. worth a gamble based on size and athleticism).